With more national shooting tragedies making recent headlines, and discussions of gun control taking center stage yet again, we realize afresh the brokenness of the world around us.
If we take the time to look deeply into our own hearts and lives, we recognize that in different ways we are all broken people, desperately in need of rescue and wholeness.
As Christians, we have a message of hope to share—Jesus Christ has come to redeem us from this dark and broken world! He is very much alive today, working to heal our lives, while we look ahead with anticipation to a coming day when there will be no more sorrow, death, or tears.
But while we wait, perhaps it’s worth considering: does my life hurt or help those around me? Do my words and actions reflect the love of my Savior and lead others closer to Him?
The gospels present the familiar story of Christ’s feeding a multitude with a few loaves of bread and a couple fish. It’s the only miracle of Jesus—aside from the resurrection—that’s recorded in all four gospels, each presenting distinct details which add to the story.
In John’s gospel, Andrew offers a solution to feeding the multitude: bring Jesus a boy with his lunch. When put into Jesus’ hands, the boy’s five loaves of bread and two fish (clearly inadequate to feed upwards of 5,000 people), end up feeding the entire crowd.
In Matthew 25, our Lord speaks of a coming day:
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (verses 37-40)
This passage speaks of relationship and service—to all who are in need, including the followers of Jesus who will at times suffer.
Those who are not suffering will be judged on their willingness to lovingly serve those who are. When they do, it is as if they serve Jesus Himself!
When we see the lost, the poor, the hurting, how will we respond?
Do I sometimes turn away from those with need, thinking it is too great for me to help?
Like the boy’s simple lunch: whatever I have to give, and however small—a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, a phone call, a prayer—when given to Jesus, allows Him to multiply the blessings and do the work that I cannot.
“Does my life hurt or help those around me?” An excellent question to keep us on track – and help us offer even the simplest of fare. Thanks, Cheryl.
This was a very encouraging post!
Sometimes we may feel like our efforts to minister may not be accomplishing much, but you remind us that when we give our efforts to Jesus, He is able to multiply them, and we may end up accomplishing much more than we realize.
So true! It is an exciting motivator to give things to Him and have that perspective, isn’t it?